peters



v 4 Sheets-Sheet 1. E. GRAY.

Telegraph R elayJnstrument.

No. 69,424. Patented Oct. 1, 1867.

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WYJIZ'7'I0GGJGS A T d U I N. PETERS. Pholo-Liihogmpher. Washington. D C.

4 Sheets-Sheet 2. E. GRAY.

Telegraph Relay-Instrument! No. 69,424. Patented Oct. 1, 1867.

N PETERS. Photo-Lithographer, Washingion, D. 04

4 Sheets-Sheet 3. E. GRAY.

Telegraph Relay-Instrument.

N0..69,424. Patented Oct. 1, 1867.

asses z venzay' flg; m4 /ZZZA N. PETERS. PimlwrLithcgrapher, Washington, D. C.

4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

E. GRAY.

Telegraph Relay-Instrument.

Patented Oct. 1, I867.

2.5 1 n. n -i N. PETEfia Phobrlikhugrapher. Washington. D. C.

ELISHALGtAY, OF OBERLIN, OHM).

Letters Patent No. 69,424. dated October 1, 1867 IMPROVEMENT IN TELEGRAPH APPARATUS.

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TO ALL WHO IT MAY CONCERN:

Be it known that I, ELTSII'A GRAY, of Oberlin, in the county of Lorain, and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Telegraph Apparatus; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and complete description of [he seine, reference being llilll to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 Plate 1, is a top view of the relay.

FigureQis a side view.

Figure3 is an end view.

Figure 4 is atop view of the key.

Figure 5 is a side View of thesame.

Figure 6, Plate II, is a top-view of the pole--changer.

Figure 7 is a side yiew of the same,

Figure 8 is an end view.

Figure 9 is a vertical transverse section.

Figure 1Q is a, detached section Plate 111 is a diagram showing theprinciple of operation.

Like letters of reference refer tolike parts in the several views.

In order to fully understand the nature of this invention, its application, and statement will be made of the peculiar diiiiculties incident to the machin apparatus is intended to supersede.

great advantage, a brief es now in general use, and which this The relay now in use consists of an electro-magnet arranged on a base so that its poles come near a softiron armature, which is attached to an upright brass lever hinged to the base.

This armature is held away from the magnets when no current is passi mg by a spring attached to an adjusting-screw, by which its tension is regulated. When the circuit closed the iron of the electro-magnet attracts the soft-iron armature suiiiciently to overcome the resistance of the spring, and bring'it near to the poles. When the circuit is broken the core-magnet immediately deinagnetizes, and the spring draws the armature away. We said that the core immediately demo.gnctizes;"- but this is true only to a'limited extent, although alarge portion of the magnetism discharges immediately on the opening of the circuit. There is yet another quantity, called residual magnetism, that requires an appreciable time to discharge itself. This would not be a serious difiiculty if the electro-current were not variable; but, owin weather, the current is almost constantly magnet after the circuit is broken is al around it; 2'. c.

g to atmospheric influences and escapes, and more especially in wet changing. The amount of residual magnetism remaining in the ways in proportion to the strength of the current which has just passed if the current is strong, the residual magnetism is in proportion, and rice verse. Suppose the current to be very weak, magnetism will be but fecbly developed, and consequently the tension of the adjustingspring must be diminished in order that the armature may move. The next instant the current may be strong so strong that residualmagnetism has power enough to overcome the weak spring of the adjustment, and pro vent the backward stroke of the armature until the tension is increased, and thus, with every change of the current, there must be a corresponding change of the adjusting spring. In order to obviate this dimculty, and cause the relay to not freely and independent of the residual magnetism, this self-adjusting (or automatic) relay is introduced, and which is constructed and operated in the following manner, viz

A, fig. 1, Plate I, is a base, upon which is mounted the relay-B, which consists of two pairs of helices U D, constructed in the ordinary way, with insulated wires wound upon spools E,.providcd with core-magnets F F, each pair being connected to each other and supported by bars G, and provided with adjustingscrews in the usual manner.

J, fig. 2, is the armature, mounted on a horizontal axis, vibrates by the attractive and ropcllin magnet J, fixed to the lower magnets, arranged, respectively, on each side of the armature, be shown. At the extreme lower with two pivots in the stay I, and upon which it g power of the core-magnets exerted upon the horseshoe or permanent end of the armature. Each limb of this magnet projects up between the two coroand is operated by the same, as will hereafter end of the armature is attached a spring, K, fig. 2, the extreme ends of which reach to and under the adjusting-screws L L, positioned in the stays M, and to which reference will hereafter be made.

The practical operation of this part of the apparatusthe relayis as follows: This relay is placed in the main ofiice at the line terminus, and is operated on the same principle as all of the others on the line, and isin every respect the same, with the addition of its connections with the localba'tteries, which assists in operating the pole-changer, which will hereafter be described. The connections of the relay-magnets F F are so made that their polarity will be opposite.

The permanent magnet-armature J, which supersedes the ordinary soft-iron armature, is placed between the poles of the magnets F 1", and operates on the principle that like poles repel, and unlike attract. Thus, if F J are both north poles, F will be south. Hence the force of the three magnets F, J, and F is exerted to move the armature H in the direction of the arrow, F and J by their attractive force, and F J by their repulsive. Now, it will be evident that, if the polarity of the magnets F F is'changed, the direction of the armature will be reversed; a. 0., the combined force of the three magnets will be exerted in the opposite direction from that above instaneed. This change of polarity is effected by reversing the current by means of a pole-changer, which will now be described. l v

The pole-changer referred to consists of two pairs of helical magnets A." B, fig, 6, Plate II, arranged in like manner as those of the relay above described. Immediately under the poles of these magnets A B is placed, in a vertical positioni a pair of helical magnets, G, fig. 10. A vertical section of the sameis shown in fig. 9, in which C are the helices, and D the core-magnet of soft iron, and is the same as an ordinary core,

' except that it is less in diameter by about three thirty-secondths of an inch than the opening in the helix, so as to admit of a vibratory movement by it being pivoted in the stay E on a horizontal axis, F

The magnets project through the helices far enough to bring their poles between the poles of the magnets A" B, and by which it is operated, as will hereafter be shown. I

The upper ends of the cores are connected by a brass bar, G, fig. 10, from which is projected a screw, H, on the end or" which is a plate of gutta pcrcha, I. On this plate are secured the pole-changing points J J and J J, fig. 6, and the current-changing points K. i

It will be seen that the pole-changing points J J are connected to the current-changing points K, and through these to each other by the wire L" The points J J are connected by a wire under the gutta-p'ercha plate, and also to the armature H, fig. 10. The points J J and J J and their connections are insulated from each other by means of the gutta-percha plate referred to.

Corresponding to the current-points just described are presented opposite points in the end of the adjustingscrews M, project-ed through the stays N, fig. 7.

Secured to the top of'the frame 0, and which is supported above the helices by the posts I" P", secured to the stay R, is a spring, Q, fig. 7, the upper end of which presents a broad disk of platinum to the four polechanging points J J. Each spring is provided with a pair of adjusting-screws, by which the stroke of the armature is regulated.

Figs. 4 and 5, Plate I, represent the by which this apparatus is operated, which, however, dlilers from the common key in that the circuit is always closed when the lever is either up or down, and is only broken when neither point is in contact.

Having thus described the several parts of the relay and pole-changer, their practical connection to each other and co-operation are as follows, viz

The instruments, as shown in the diagram, are in their normal position when the line is not operating. The main circuit is closed; also that of the local battery is. The armature of the pole-changer, as well as all the relay armatures on the line, are resting on the back stroke toward the east. The key-levers on the line are all resting on their back points a, fig. 5, Plate 1. (See diagram.) The positive current is flowing from the main batteries 6, (see diagram,) to screw-cup c, to post P, fig. 8, Plate II; from thence to spring Q, (see diagram;) thence to pole-changingpoint J; from thence to current-changing point I to magnet B, from which to vertical magnets C, fig. 9, Plate II; thence to screw-cups d, (see diagram) to screw-cup c of the relay, from which, through the magnets C D, to screw-cupsf; thence over the main linef, and back through the earth, and enters the pole-changer by the ground-wire at screw-cup g; from thence to screw T, fig. 9, Plate II, through core D,

brass bar G, up the armature H, to point J, (see diagram, or fig. 6, Plate Hg) from thence to post 1?, screwcup it, to the negative pole of the battery. This makes the eastern magnets of all the relays on the line attracting to their respective permanent magnet-armatpres,and their western repelling to them. The local current in the mean time is passing frdm.the battery or cup R (see diagram) to screw L, fig. 2, Plate 1; thence, along spring K, through the armature-lever H, to insulated'point of screw S, fig. 1, Plate I, from which to cup Q; then to cup 3' of pole-changer; thence, through the magnets A, to screw'z', and from thence to local battery is. The main current is passing through magnet B and vertical helix C in such a manner that the unlike poles of the movable core, (to which the armature H is attached,) which is now a temporary magnet, and those of magnet B, are together, and consequently are mutually attracting. At the same time the local current is passing through magnet A in such a manner that its poles are in close proximity to like poles of the movable core, and are repelling. Thus the three magnets are operating to hold the armature to the east. Suppose the operator at Washington wishes to communicate. with New York, he depresses his key, which breaks the main circuit! The magnet B and movable core D become neutral, while the local, current is still running. The movable core being at once neutralized by the break of the main circuit, it is attracted by the magnet A, thus changing the poles of the main battery instantly. By this time the operators key has made contact on the front point m, fig. 5, Plate I, thus again closing thecircuit, which causes all the relay armatures on the line to move to the west, because the current is now passing over the line in an opposite direction. On the reverse,

the positive current is now passing from the main battery I; (see diagram) to screw-cup c, as before; thence to post P, from which to spring V, through point J, fig. 6, Plate II; thence to armature H, fig. 9, to crossbar G, and from which, through movable core D, to screw T; thenceto screw-cup g, (see diagram,) which connects with the ground-wire, through the earth, and back over the line f,- and, entering the pole-changer at screw-cup d; from thence, through the vertical helices C and magnets A, to screw M; thence, through current-changer K, to point J; from thence, through spring V, to post P, and from which, through screw-cup 71, to the nega- -tive pole of the battery. During this time the local circuit from battery is is now broken, and that of local battery Z is closed, and is now passing from battery Z to screw-cup z of pole-changer, from which, through magnet B, to screw-cup-P; thence to screw-cup V of relay; and from thence to arch T, through which to point or screw 0; then down the armature-lever H, fig. 2, Plate I, to spring K, off at the ends in contact with screw L; thence to screw-cup N, (see diagram,) to local battery Z. The three magnets of the pole-changer, and those of i all the relays on thisline, retain the same relation to each other as before, but exert their force in an opposite direction. Thus the magnets that were before attracting their respective a'rmatures-are now repelling, and vice versa.

Whemthe depression on the key-lever, fig. 5, Plate 1, is taken off, the strength of the spring will throw it up, thus breaking the main circuit, and allowing the local at the outlet the line to change the poles as before. When the back point (L of the key-lever makes contact, all the relay armatures on the line more back. Hence it will be seen that, as often as the key-lever is depressed, the poles of the main battery will change, and all the relay armatures will move forward; and, as often as the key comes up, the arniatures move back, thus alter: nating as thekey is continued to be manipulated.

The advantages of this instrument may be summed up as follows:

First. It is self-adjusting from its very nature. There can he no change of current so great or instantaneous as to impede the working of the instrument. As long as there is force enough to move the armature one way there is to move it the other. i

I Second. It saves battery power, firstly, because it appropriates the power in the permanentma uet; secondly, it admits of the use of a second electro-magnet, whereby the repelling and attracting force can be made to operate conjoint-1y on the'armature; thirdly, it saves power on the principle that two magnets operate together with more than their aggregate of power; further, there is no spring to overcome, and, the armature being perfectly balanced, it is susceptible of the slightest influences; still further, by the use of a reversible current residual magnetism is completely overcome as an opposing force.

Third. The main current is self-closing, because it is always closed, whether the key-lever is up or down, and the spring holds it up when not in use, rendering it impossible for a careless operator to leave the circuit open,

What I claim as my improvement, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The commutator or pole-changer, relay, and key, arranged to operate conjointly with the main and local circuits, so that the operatorat any point on the line can reverse the current over the same from the main battery, in the manner substantially as set forth.

2. The peculiar construction of the commutator, when arranged with the line and local circuits, for the purpose of obtaining the attraction and repulsion of the direct and reverse currents, by means substantially as specified.

'3. The commutator, with an electro-magnet or vibrating core-armature, so arranged that its poles are between the poles of the electro-magnets, and so connected with the line and local circuits that, when both are closed, one magnetis attracting -the armature, and the other is repelling, in the manner substantially as described.

4. The arrangement of, the magnet J, electro-magnets C D, lever H, and spring K, combined and operating conjointly, in the manner and for the purpose substantially asset forth.

ELISHA GRAY,

Witnesses:

W. H. Bunnrnen, Flume ALDEN. 

